Crown Point Closure Is Tip of the Iceberg

• by Associated General Contractors of New York State

ALBANY, NY (10/23/2009)(readMedia)-- One week after the closure of the Crown Point Bridge over Lake Champlain, our state and federal officials have not provided a solution to the economic hardship caused to commuters and businesses that rely on this vital link between New York and Vermont.

"While the residents and motorists in and around Crown Point wait for an answer, other communities wonder will we be next?" said AJ Castelbuono, President of the AGC NYS.

According to a May 2009 report by the NYS Department of Transportation (DOT), the Crown Point Bridge had a rating of 3.38 out of 7. That report also indicates that over 100 bridges throughout New York State have the same or worse rating as Crown Point.

"How many more bridges need to be closed or limited to one lane or have weight restrictions imposed before our elected officials provide the necessary funding to repair them?" asked Castelbuono.

Just fifteen days ago, DOT submitted a $25.8 billion five-year capital construction program to the Governor and the Legislature. Governor Paterson promptly dismissed this plan to repair over 900 deficient bridges as "unaffordable."

"Well, Governor, the families and businesses in Crown Point faced with a 100 mile detour find their daily commute unaffordable."

Further evidence of the Governor's benign neglect of our roads and bridges:

• In 2008, Paterson appoints now Lt. Governor Ravitch to head a blue ribbon panel to recommend strategies and options for funding the Metropolitan Transportation Authority's capital projects and operating needs. Despite repeated attempts by industry groups and lawmakers, the Governor refused to form a similar commission to review DOT funding.
• In May of 2009, Paterson spearheads efforts to enact new payroll taxes on downstate businesses to finance the MTA without including revenue for highway and bridge projects. This was the first time in twenty years that financing for MTA capital projects was not paired with funding for roads and bridges.